TWO west Cumbrian towns will light beacons as a mark of remembrance on the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

A D-Day event will take place today, June 6, from 8pm, with a beacon of peace to be lit on behalf of Maryport Rescue.

The event will be attended by the mayor of Maryport, coastguard, veterans, cadets, scouts and other organisations.

There will be a service of remembrance and an evening colours, last post and hymns, followed by refreshments at the Sailors Return.

Workington Town Council have also organised an event which will see the lighting of the beacon in Vulcan Park, Workington today, June 6.

The council are offering free fish and chips for the first 80 people who attend the Beacon Lighting in remembrance of the D-Day 80th anniversary – from 7.30pm to 9pm due to the popular meals' connection to the day.

During the D-day landings, soldiers who found themselves behind enemy lines at night and needed a way of telling friend from foe used a two-word code in which 'fish' would be answered by 'chips'.